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ARSENAL outcast Albert Sambi-Lokonga has completed a season long loan to Sevilla.
The La Liga club have a £10million buy option to make the deal permanent next summer.
Lokonga was unveiled to the media today[/caption]
He spoke of his delight at joining Sevilla[/caption]
Arsenal have also negotiated a 25 per cent sell-on clause into the deal.
The Gunners were also in contact with Fiorentina according to The Athletic, with the Serie A club prepared to offer more money than Sevilla.
But the midfielder only ever wanted to join the Spanish club which made that move a non-starter.
Lokonga had a successful spell on loan at Luton last season when not sidelined with injury.
He played 17 times in the Premier League for the Hatters, scoring once and assisting three times as a defensive midfielder.
Unfortunately for Luton, his contributions were not enough to keep the club up.
He spent the second half of the 2022-23 season on loan at Crystal Palace under Patrick Vieira, with the Frenchman being a huge fan of Lokonga.
Arsenal signed Lokonga for £18million in 2021 from Belgian side Anderlecht – who were then managed by Vincent Kompany.
Kompany was a great admirer of Lokonga, and previously compared the midfielder to Prem legend Yaya Toure.
The Belgian midfielder played 39 times in total for the Gunners.
Speaking on joining Sevilla, Lokonga said: “Everyone knows that Sevilla has a great history. I hope to be able to win a lot at this club.
“I’m very happy with my first few days. I’m grateful for the opportunity I’ve been given to play here.”
SunSport’s verdict on Arsenal stars
Mikel Arteta is looking to get Arsenal ready to beat Man City to the title after another near miss, but he may need to be brutal with his squad in order to do so. Here’s SunSport’s verdict on who should stay and who should go.
David Raya – STAY: Initial doubts arose when he replaced Aaron Ramsdale, but he has since proven himself to be a world-class keeper with all the attributes needed for Arteta’s way of playing.
Aaron Ramsdale – GO: Unfortunate to be cast aside for Raya, but is now looking for a move to become a regular No.1 elsewhere, especially with his aspirations of one day starting in goal for England.
Karl Hein – STAY: Unlikely to take Ramsdale’s spot as No.2 should the Englishman depart – but the club cannot afford to lose two keepers in one window.
William Saliba – STAY: Saliba is of the best young defenders in the world right now, Arteta should be building his team around him. A vital part of the side’s spine that conceded just 29 Prem goals this term.
Ben White – STAY: Another solid member of Arteta’s impressive back four. Has the flexibility to play on the right or as a central defender, but has made right-back his own this term.
Gabriel – STAY: Was on the outskirts at the start of the campaign but forced his way back in and has forged an almighty partnership with Saliba in the middle of the defence. One of Arteta’s most important signings.
Jurrien Timber – STAY: Yet to see the best of the Dutchman after an injury-hit season, but Arteta views him as a game-changing full-back.
Jakub Kiwior – STAY: The Polish international has struggled to break up the duo of Saliba and Gabriel but has impressed when called upon, especially in a stint at left-back.
Cedric – GO: Leaving the club with his contract expiring. Never really convinced Arteta he could be relied upon and spent most of the season warming the bench.
Takehiro Tomiyasu – STAY: Another flexible and reliable figure that Arteta adores. Can play centre-back or right-back and is a real presence at set-pieces.
Oleksandr Zinchenko – GO: With Timber in line to be Arteta’s first choice at left-back, it is hard to see the Ukrainian starting many games for Arsenal next season. A good signing at £35m but has shown himself to be limited defensively.
Thomas Partey – GO: Injury prone and has looked leggy when finally back from his thigh issues that kept him out from October until March. Contract is up next summer.
Martin Odegaard – STAY: Captain fantastic. A real leader amongst men at such a young age. The 25-year-old is on course to lift the Prem at Arsenal sooner rather than later.
Emile Smith Rowe – STAY: Sidelined for most of the term and struggled to make an impact when called upon, but Arteta still sees something in him. A decent squad option but you get the feeling he is running out of time to prove to the club he is a player worth sticking with.
Jorginho – STAY: Arteta’s experienced general who, more often than not, has Arsenal playing better with him in the team.
Fabio Vieira – GO: Perhaps harsh to judge him based on just 16 appearances in all competitions this season but still looks out of place in English football. A loan move could help.
Mohamed Elneny – GO: Another player departing with his contract expiring. The right call by both parties. A good servant from the Arsene Wenger days.
Kai Havertz – STAY: Seems a bargain now at £65m from Chelsea following his barnstorming end to the season. Arteta bought him as a midfielder, yet now leads the line as a first-choice No.9.
Declan Rice – STAY: Arsenal’s most important and influential signing in years. Enough said.
Bukayo Saka – STAY: An undroppable superstar for club and country right now. Will undoubtedly get even better in seasons to come.
Gabriel Jesus – STAY: Fighting for a starting spot but right now but would be foolish to let him go given how much he can impact games and his winning mentality inside the group.
Gabriel Martinelli – STAY: A dip in form this term but Arteta has huge faith in him. The added competition with Leandro Trossard will only make him better.
Eddie Nketiah – GO: Career is at a crossroads right now and he needs to leave to turn that around. His six-figure wages could put Premier League suitors off.
Leandro Trossard – STAY: Can bring his qualities as a starter or from the bench – a brilliant option to have when you are going for a title.
Reiss Nelson – GO: Arteta has often spoken of Nelson’s potential and likes having him around the squad, but his impact has withered over the past 12 months.
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It could be all change at Manchester City with the likes of Jack Grealish linked with an exit and Julian Alvarez telling the club he wants to leave.
Pep Guardiola is also reportedly ready to trigger the release clause for Spanish Euro 2024 hero Dani Olmo.
Meanwhile, Arsenal and Manchester United are on high alert with Marc Guehi set to reject Crystal Palace’s new contract offer, SunSport can exclusively reveal.
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